Things to do in Ottawa for seniors
- The national museums, all wheelchair accessible, with senior rates and benches throughout
- A free Parliament tour, with elevators available
- A canal or river cruise, a relaxing way to see the city. Cruises
- Matinees at the National Arts Centre
- The Central Experimental Farm and Dominion Arboretum, flat, green and free
Things to do in Ottawa alone
Ottawa is easy to explore solo. Try a Thursday-night museum visit, a walking or food tour (good for meeting people), the canal pathway at sunrise, a seat at the bar in the ByWard Market, or a show at the NAC.
Dog-friendly things to do in Ottawa
- Bruce Pit (Nepean): the most popular off-leash area, with a big field and about 3 km of trails
- Conroy Pit (south end): about 5 km of forest trails and a pond for swimming. Unfenced, so good recall needed.
- More than 150 city parks with off-leash areas, and a handful that are fenced
- In Gatineau Park, leashed dogs are allowed on most trails from April 15 to November 30, but not at Pink Lake, King Mountain or Luskville Falls
Dog-friendly patios
Since 2020, Ontario restaurants have been allowed to welcome dogs on outdoor patios, but each restaurant decides. The ByWard Market has a good concentration of dog-friendly patios. Always ask before you sit down.
Accessible things to do in Ottawa
- All of Ottawa's national museums are wheelchair accessible, and the National Arts Centre is barrier-free.
- Parliament's Visitor Welcome Centre and West Block are accessible, and ASL or LSQ interpretation can be requested for tours.
- The city beaches lend free beach wheelchairs.
- Mer Bleue Bog has a boardwalk trail.
- Many attractions give a free ticket to a support person; check each venue's policy.
- Lady Dive's amphibious city tours have wheelchair-accessible buses; arrange in advance.
Things to do in Ottawa for adults
Thursday museum nights, craft brewery hops in Hintonburg and Gatineau, escape rooms, the Nordik Spa in Chelsea, a show at Hard Rock LIVE, and late nights in Vieux-Hull.
Bachelorette party ideas in Ottawa
- A day at Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea
- Whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River, for an adventurous group. See tours.
- A cooking class, a food tour or a brewery tour
- Dinner in Little Italy, then the ByWard Market or Vieux-Hull
- A downtown suite as base camp
FAQ
What are the best off-leash dog parks in Ottawa?
Bruce Pit in Nepean and Conroy Pit in the south end are the most popular. Conroy Pit has a pond dogs can swim in.
Are Ottawa's museums wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All of Ottawa's national museums are wheelchair accessible, and the National Arts Centre is barrier-free.
Are dogs allowed on patios in Ottawa?
Ontario allows restaurants to permit dogs on outdoor patios, but each restaurant decides, so ask first.
The weekend, sorted
One short email on Thursdays: what's worth doing in Ottawa and the Gatineau Hills this weekend, and nothing you'll skip.
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